{
  "name": "The Loneliest Road in America, Austin to Ely",
  "slug": "loneliest-road-us50-nevada",
  "url": "https://www.bestdrivingroads.com/roads/loneliest-road-us50-nevada/",
  "summary": "US 50 runs east from the mining town of Austin over Austin Summit, past Hickison Petroglyphs and through Eureka, crossing a string of summits up to 7,607 feet and empty valleys to Ely on Nevada's Loneliest Road.",
  "roadNumbers": [
    "US 50"
  ],
  "location": {
    "country": "United States",
    "region": "Nevada",
    "start": {
      "name": "Austin",
      "lat": 39.493155,
      "lon": -117.060393
    },
    "end": {
      "name": "Ely",
      "lat": 39.248349,
      "lon": -114.890818
    }
  },
  "measurements": {
    "lengthMiles": 145.3,
    "lengthKm": 233.8,
    "driveMinutes": 266,
    "corners": 29,
    "hairpins": 0,
    "maxGradientPercent": 8,
    "summitMetres": 2317.9,
    "elevationConfidence": "measured",
    "difficulty": "easy",
    "tightnessOutOf10": 3
  },
  "timing": {
    "bestSeasons": [
      "spring",
      "summer",
      "autumn"
    ]
  },
  "conditions": {},
  "hazards": [
    "Long gaps between towns, 70 miles from Austin to Eureka and 77 miles from Eureka to Ely",
    "Hairpin turns and grades of up to 8 percent on some summits",
    "Winter weather on the passes, which reach over 7,000 feet",
    "Livestock and deer on the road at dawn and dusk",
    "Fatigue on the long, straight valley sections"
  ],
  "scenery": [
    "desert",
    "mountain",
    "valley"
  ],
  "pointsOfInterest": [
    "Austin Summit",
    "Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area",
    "Eureka County Opera House",
    "DJ's Diner",
    "Robinson Summit"
  ],
  "geometry": {
    "pointCount": 520
  },
  "attribution": {
    "source": "bestdrivingroads.com",
    "citation": "Cite with a link to the road page. Stats are measured from the mapped line; where elevationConfidence is \"approximate\" the 30 m DEM cannot resolve that line and the elevation figures are indicative.",
    "roadGeometry": "(c) OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL",
    "terms": "Facts are free to cite with attribution; bulk reproduction of the catalogue requires permission (simon@keane.studio)."
  },
  "updated": "2026-10-11"
}